MSA Alumni - Olympics & Paralympics Update

The 2024 Paris Olympics were another fantastic Olympic Games for MSA Alumni, with four of our past students competing in events and our of our past students competing in the Paris Paralympics.

While no medals were won by our Alumni this year, we couldn’t be prouder of their efforts and performances.

Lucas Plapp – Cycling

After winning a bronze medal in Tokyo in the velodrome, Lucas was instead selected to compete on the road course in the Time Trial and Road Race in Paris.

Lucas was considered a favourite to finish on the podium in the Time Trial on a very wet day in Paris.  However, due to the conditions Lucas crashed his bike early in the time trial and had to be taken to hospital for an emergency operation. We wish Lucas the best in his recovery and look forward to seeing him defend his Australian Title.

Leon Sejranovic – Taekwondo

This was Leon’s first Olympic games, and he took the fight right to the end of his two matches.

Leon fought world number six Firas Katoussi (TUN), falling 2-0 to his opponent.

Katoussi was fast from the get go, pressuring Leon into defence early with the Tunisian’s height advantage on display through his high and quick kicks. Katoussi went on to win the gold medal.

In the repechage and under the stunning backdrop of the Grand Palais, Leon took it up to his opponent through a series of fast flurries of kicks and punches. After a fast start by Leon in the second bout, he was unable to keep up with the flurry of attacks by Hrnic, with the Dane taking the round by reaching 12 points, and took the bout 2-0. Hrnic won bronze. 

Well done Leon, we are very proud of your achievements and are so happy to have you back at school coaching your future opponents.

Celeste Mucci - Hurdles

2024 has been a tough year for Celeste and she put all that behind her to give the 100m Hurdles at the Paris Games a real crack, having recovered from a serious hamstring injury which threatened to derail her Olympic dream.

In her heat, Celeste ran a 13.05 to finish seventh before improving in her repechage running a 13.00 and finishing fifth. 

To come back from adversity is something we knew Celeste could do and to see her run in the main stadium at Paris is a sight we will all never forget.

Johann Stickland - Swimming

Johann swam in the 100m freestyle and was one of just two representatives in the pool for Samoa.

While Johann’s swim didn’t get him through to the semi-finals, he will always be considered an Olympian and has done himself, his family and everyone here at Maribyrnong College very proud.

Nathan Pellissier - Para Table Tennis

Nathan was our sole Athlete in the 2024 Paralympic Games and competed in three Table Tennis events: the Men's Doubles, Mixed Doubles and Men's Singles.

While Nathan didn’t make it through to the next round, he came so close in all three matches.  In the Men’s Doubles Nathan and partner Na Lin won the first set before winning the fourth 11-8 to tie up the match.  The Aussie pair were knocked on with the home team though winning the fifth set.

In the Mixed doubles, Nathan and partner Lei Lina won the second and fourth sets before losing a tight fifth set to the Croatians 11-9. Meanwhile in the Men’s singles while Nathan won the first set against his Slovakian opponent, before going down 1-3.

This was Nathan’s second Paralympics - wining a silver medal i in Tokyo - and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for him.